Velomobile

A velomobile, velomobiel, or bicycle car, is a human-powered vehicle (HPV) enclosed for aerodynamic advantage and protection from weather and collisions. They are similar to recumbent bicycles and tricycles, but with a full fairing (aerodynamic shell). A fairing may be added to a non-faired cycle, or the fairing may be an integral part of the structure, sometimes called a unitized body.

Pedal powered faired vehicles with two wheels, intended primarily for racing, are usually called streamliners. Streamliners have set many speed and distance records. Using three or more wheels can have advantages for everyday use, including better stability in cross-winds. However, "more wheels" tends to increase aerodynamic drag, which limits their use for racing.

There are few velomobile manufacturers; some are home-built. Some models have the operator's head exposed; this has the advantage of giving the operator unobstructed vision, hearing, and some cooling, with the disadvantage of being more exposed to weather and less aerodynamic.

Hybrid velomobiles can use both human power and assistance by an electric motor. Many in the velomobile community expect that the assistance from an electric motor will not exceed the power of the human rider, that is a 1:1 ratio. Velomobiles exceeding this ratio are often referred to as a pedelecs. or e-bikes. Small three- and four-wheeled motor vehicles are called microcars.

Before World War I, Charles Mochet built a small four-wheeled 'bike'-car for his son. Mochet built many models of small vehicles called "Velocar". Some models had two seats, most were pedal powered, but as the years went by, many were fitted with small engines.

In the 1970s, the People Powered Vehicle was produced. It was a two-seat, "sociable" tandem with a steel sub frame and molded plastic body. It was actually well designed and relatively light, though weighing over 50 kg (110 lb) (a recently restored version weighs 59 kg or 130 lb) but had flaws in the execution that doomed it as a practical, everyday vehicle. Positive features, such as easily adjustable and comfortable seats, independent pedalling for both passenger and driver, adequate cargo space and relatively good weather protection, could not overcome the negative features, such as a complex, heavy and badly spaced three-speed gear box, ineffective brakes, and pedals that slid on sleeve bearings on steel shafts, which made it difficult to use as an everyday vehicle.

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Wikipedia